A week to remember

The week has been filled with anniversaries of historic events: the assassination of Martin Luther King, Jr. and the last episode of M*A*S*H.

We often ask each other: “Where were you when this important event happened?”

When Martin Luther King, Jr was killed, I sat practicing piano in anticipation of my June recital; the recital went on that June night when Bobby Kennedy rested in a Los Angeles hospital fighting for his life.

When M*A*S*H aired its final episode, I skipped out early on a church meeting, saying I had “family concerns at home.” Married, living in an upstairs apartment, my husband and I watched Alan Alda and his team fold up their tents, head for home and say “GOOD-BYE,” in rock-solid fashion. Best kiss of television aired that night between Hawkeye and Hot Lips.

Our lives are punctuated with real-life tragedy and dramatic story-telling that demonstrate truth while entertaining; these memories continue to inspire, entertain, teach and bless.

Where were you when your life-defining events happened?

(S-R photo: James "Plunky" Branch plays his soprano saxophone near the new Martin Luther King, Jr., Memorial in Washington)